REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 28, 2023
FROM
BEAHTA R. DAVIS, Director, Regional Parks Department
SUBJECT
Title
Agreement with Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Agreement with Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve for the continued management of sensitive wildlife habitats, education programs, and visitor services at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, at a cost not to exceed $25,000 annually, effective March 28, 2023, through March 27, 2028.
(Presenter: Beahta R. Davis, Director, 387-2340)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item does not require the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). This item will authorize an annual expenditure of $25,000 in Department Maintenance funds to pay Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Reserve (Association) out of the Regional Parks Department (Department) budget. Adequate appropriation and revenue are included in the Department’s 2022-23 budget and will be included in applicable future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Department operates and maintains regional parks throughout the County, including the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve (Big Morongo) and provides for the use of park property through Board of Supervisors (Board) approved fees. In the past, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed Big Morongo and had an agreement with the Association. Although the Association had an agreement with BLM to manage sensitive wildlife habitats, education programs, and visitor services at Big Morongo, in August of 2022, BLM terminated its management of Big Morongo and terminated its contract with the Department and Big Morongo. The recommended Agreement between the Department and the Association allows for the management of Big Morongo to continue.
As a National Watchable Wildlife site and as a preserve of regional, national, and international recognition for its birdwatching values, Big Morongo requires a manager to maintain facilities and grounds, manage visitor use at proper levels, regulate appropriate visitor uses within a sensitive habitat, manage wildlife habitat, and monitor sensitive species within the oasis and canyon areas. If approved, the Association and the Department will work cooperatively for the common purpose of managing Big Morongo for continued public visitation and resource protection.
This recommended Agreement aligns with the County and Chief Executive Officer’s goal and objective to operate in a fiscally-responsible and business-like manner and to provide for the safety, health, and social service needs for county residents by allowing the Association to oversee the daily operations, provide the necessary supplies, equipment, education to public, routine maintenance, and hire staff to maintain Big Morongo.
This Agreement will provide for a safe and appropriate viewing of wildlife and wildlife habitat by the general public without endangering the safety or security of that wildlife. It will also promote public awareness of the resource values within Big Morongo as a natural area for wildlife and for humans, and to make visitors aware of the importance of protecting the natural resources within the Big Morongo and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
The Association will serve to keep the Big Morongo in good order for the public and assist the County with park operations, bird watching and identification, education, volunteer programs, and trail maintenance. Either party may terminate the Agreement with 60-days written notice.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 24, 2023; Finance (Elias Duenas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052) on February 27, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on March 6, 2023.